Medium nuc size

[mc1960]

I am getting started when my nucs come in and am planning on using 8f mediums everywhere except the bottom brood box because my nucs will be coming in deep nucs. I am in the process of building my own wooden ware now while I have a little down time, my question is, when I do a split with an 8f medium, should I build a 5f medium nuc or what? Thanks

[iddee]

In my opinion, an 8 frame medium is a nuc. Multiply the square inches on five deep frames, do the same on 8 medium frames, and compare. In splitting 8 frame medium hives, I just place one full box on a bottom board.

[mikecva]

Check with your nuc supplier as many suppliers deliver their nucs in cardboard boxes that can not be used for long term use.  -Mike

[mc1960]

Nucs are coming in a cardboard box, I am making a 8f deep for each nuc.

[tjc1]

I'd see if there was any way to get the nucs on medium frames and go with all medium eqpt. I tried the same thing, thinking I'd just have the lower box a deep and the rest mediums, but it has been a big pain - you can never switch frames around when you need to - it really hasn't worked well, and I'm in the midst of the laborious year's-long process of getting the deeps switched out. Just my 2 cents...

[BlueBee]

I'm under the impressions the OP wants to eventually end up with all medium hives; I think  :)

Obviously it would be a lot easier to start with a medium nuc in the first place as I'm sure he realizes.  There's usually some method to the madness.  If we have to start with a deep bottom box, then I would keep it simple as iddee says; just make splits with 8 medium frames.  8 medium frames make a fairly strong colony; assuming they are brood frames.

I have a number of 6 frame medium nucs that I run, even some 4 frames.  However 8 frame medium boxes are more optimal IMO.  They have a better critical mass for starting a new colony.  As Mr Bush says, just split by the box, if you've got brood in those medium boxes. 

[capt44]

The dimensions on a 5 frame medium Nuc box is  6 5/8 inches deep, 19 7/8 inches long and 9 1/2 or 9 1/4 inches wide.
I have found no set standard to the width.
The frame rest are rabbet joint cuts at 3/8 inch deep x 5/8 inch wide cut into the short boards.

[rookie2531]

Take this lightly, as i am assuming that if frames (dadant style) are 1 3/8" wide. That you just deduct 4 1/8"off width, from 8f to 5f.

[Michael Bush]

If I wanted all eight frame mediums, I would not buy anything else.  Put the deeps in two eight frame mediums until you get the colony going.  Then do a cutout or harvest on the deeps.  They will have comb on the bottoms you can cut off and you can rubber band the brood comb into mediums and harvest the honey.

[OldMech]

I have done as Mr. Bush mentions and it will work..   I will also USE the deep boxes the first year. Get them built up with two mediums above them.
   Come spring time, the bees will be in the top box..  Reverse your boxes..  put the top box on the bottom, and remove the deep entirely, give them a new medium to draw..   That makes the transition seamless and smooth..
   I seem to always be aquiring boxes/hives and bees from somewhere,and it never fails that they are in deeps. One of the two methods will get you back into all mediums so long as your not in any great panic.
   Scott

[Monie]

Why not ask for medium nucs, if you're running all medium?

[Chiefman]

They will have comb on the bottoms you can cut off and you can rubber band the brood comb into mediums and harvest the honey.

How long would the Rubber bands last in the hive?  I have seen photos of bees cutting the rubber band then throwing them out the hive in pile a on the floor at the entrance

[BeeMaster2]

They will have comb on the bottoms you can cut off and you can rubber band the brood comb into mediums and harvest the honey.

How long would the Rubber bands last in the hive?  I have seen photos of bees cutting the rubber band then throwing them out the hive in pile a on the floor at the entrance

It depends on how thick the rubber bands are. The thin ones are usually cut in about a week  the thicker ones stake longer. I have one thick one in my observation hive that took  them  so long to cut that other bees had built wax over it and it is now perminantly in place. It is 1/8 by 1/8 thick. I mostly use much smaller ones but it was available when I cut those combs and framed them for this hive. They did remove 3 rubber bands that were the same size and dragged them down into the entrance tube.
Jim